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ADVANCE NOTICE - Bridgwater Carnival 2012 will move to a Saturday in 2012.
2012 Carnival Concert seats and Procession grandstand seats go on sale online from midday on Wednesday 18th April, order early to avoid disappointment, tickets distributed on a first come first served basis.
Carnival Squibbing Display To Celebrate 2012 Olympics.
The official 2011 DVD and Souvenir Brochure are on sale and can be purchased at our online shop, locally at the Carnival Centre or through local Carnival Clubs. - Online Shop.
Wondering what Bridgwater Carnival is all about, watch the fast moving snapshot video of Bridgwater Carnival 2011 from the Official DVD
Bridgwater Carnival Centre Opening Times
Bridgwater Carnival is a Registered Charity, if you wish to help by making a donation you can do so at our online Shop.
Bridgwater Carnival 2011
In the years to come Friday 4 November 2011 will be remembered as one of Bridgwater’s saddest ever nights.
The unforeseen collapse of a section of the River Parrett wall following a torrential rain storm, and the terrible M5 road traffic accident at J25 which tragically claimed the lives of 7 people and injured a further 51, stunned the population of this historical Somerset town. There has never been a night like it before, and we must hope it never happens again.
In contrast to what was happening amid the unfolding events, the town played host to its annual Gun Powder plot celebrations – The Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival.
As with the years before, many local people and visitors from all over the country descended upon the town streets to watch the magical spectacle - referred to by many as the largest illuminated procession in the world – totally innocent and oblivious to what was going on just along the road.
And as predicted the carnival lived up to its reputation.
118 entries, including 57 spectacular illuminated carts, wound their way around the streets of Bridgwater and mesmerised the watching thousands. The standard of entries was incredibly high, and all those who witnessed the procession left with their own personal favourite memory.
For the eight successive year Gremlins Carnival Club (CC) won the Ker Cup with their entry ‘Jungle Drums’, after coming first in the local feature class, and in doing so wrote themselves into the Bridgwater Carnival record books by becoming the first club to achieve this tremendous feat.
Other local winners in their respective classes were Wills CC and their entry ‘Wackee Race’, and Newmarket CC with ‘Old Bazaar in Cairo’.
Sensibly the traditional squibbing display was cancelled after the evening procession had finished due to the worsening situation at the M5 accident scene. This decision was taken in partnership with the emergency services. The squibbing display will be back in 2012.
Another carnival first occurred during the build up to the procession highlight, when Bridgwater Carnival staged its first ever daytime children’s parade. Over 100 children from seven local primary and secondary schools took part in the carnival day afternoon event, which was kindly sponsored by Gerber Juice Company Ltd. Many spectators lined the streets and watched the energetic and vibrant afternoon procession, and the infectious atmosphere even had Bridgwater MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger, Bridgwater Mayor, Pat Parker and Bridgwater Carnival President, Pete Bastin, joining in the fun.
Unfortunately the collection dropped for the fifth consecutive year, with just over £19,000 being collected – the lowest since 1995. The money collected will be shared between the Bridgwater Carnival and other local chosen charities.
The night of Friday 4 November 2011 should not just be remembered in Bridgwater for the day the carnival took place. We must never ever forget those who have been affected by the M5 disaster, and we must pay tribute to the emergency services who helped the victims on the night, Bridgwater’s worst ever night.
Once again Bridgwater Carnival has proved it really is the home of carnival. It is something to be rightfully very proud of, but it must not be taken for granted. It is a magnificent spectacle, and one which the people of Bridgwater, Sedgemoor and Somerset would be much poorer without.
